Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter

50 Pages·1999·0.1 MB·English

FAA-S-8081-4C
with Changes 1 & 2
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
INSTRUMENT RATING
Practical Test Standards
for
••
AIRPLANE
••
HELICOPTER
••
POWERED LIFT
OCTOBER 1998
FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE
Washington, DC 20591
INSTRUMENT RATING
Practical Test Standards
for
Airplane
Helicopter
Powered Lift
1998
FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE
WASHINGTON, DC 20591
NOTE
Material in FAA-S-8081-4C will be effective October 1,1998. All
previous editions of the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards will
be obsolete as of this date.
FAA-S-8081-4C
RECORD OF CHANGES
Change 1: 12/9/98
Reason: To correct errors.
• Appendix 1—Levels of Simulation Device Credit, Use of Chart,
Note 1 and 2.
Reason: Correction of circling approach altitude tolerances for minimum
descent altitude (MDA).

• AREA OF OPERATION: INSTRUMENT APPROACH
PROCEDURES, TASK D, CIRCLING APPROACH (IA, A, AA).
Change 2: 03/11/99
Reason: To align the PTS with part 61.
• Added a Rating Task Table matrix and changed appropriate
references in the introduction.

• Removed all references applicable to added ratings (in
parenthesis) by each TASK on the Examiner’s Checklist and
throughout the PTS.
Reason: To bring the PTS in line with the Aeronautical Information
Manual (AIM).

• All references to Standard Instrument Departure (SID or SID’s)
have been changed to read: instrument departure procedures
(DP’s).
FOREWORD
The Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards (PTS) book is
published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish
the standards for instrument rating certification practical tests for the
airplane, helicopter, and powered lift, category and classes. These
practical test standards shall also be used for the instrument portion
of the commercial pilot–airship practical test. FAA inspectors and
designated pilot examiners shall conduct practical tests in compliance
with these standards. Flight instructors and applicants should find
these standards helpful during training and when preparing for
practical tests.
Richard O. Gordon
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service
FAA-S-8081-4C
Change 2 03/11/99
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................1
General Information.......................................................................1
Practical Test Standard Concept...................................................2
Practical Test Book Description.....................................................2
Practical Test Standards Description.............................................2
Use of the Practical Test Standards Book.....................................4
Practical Test Prerequisites: Instrument Rating.............................5
Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test.................6
Use of FAA-Approved Flight Simulator or Flight Training
Device......................................................................................6
Examiner Responsibility.................................................................7
Satisfactory Performance..............................................................8
Unsatisfactory Performance..........................................................9
Letter of Discontinuance................................................................9
Crew Resource Management (CRM)..........................................10
Applicant’s Use of Checklists.......................................................10
Use of Distractions During Practical Tests...................................10
Metric Conversion Initiative..........................................................10
Positive Exchange of Flight Controls............................................11
Flight Instructor Responsibility......................................................11
Emphasis on Attitude Instrument Flying and Partial-Panel
Skills.......................................................................................11
Rating Task Table........................................................................15
CONTENTS.................................................................................1-i
APPLICANT’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST.......................1-iii
EXAMINER’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST........................1-v
AREAS OF OPERATION:
I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION.......................................1-1
II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES.......................................1-3
III. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCES AND
PROCEDURES..........................................................1-5
IV. FLIGHT BY REFERENCE TO INSTRUMENTS...........1-7
V. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS............................................1-11
VI. INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES............1-12
VII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS....................................1-17
VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES...................................1-20
i FAA-S-8081-4C
Change 2 03/11/99
APPENDIX 1—TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT
TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT...............Appendix 1-1
USE OF CHART.........................................................Appendix 1-1
FLIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE LEVEL.....................Appendix 1-2
FAA-S-8081-4C ii
Change 2 03/11/99
INTRODUCTION
General Information
The Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has developed this practical test standards book to be used by
FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners when conducting
instrument rating—airplane, helicopter, and powered lift practical tests,
and instrument proficiency checks for all aircraft. These practical test
standards shall also be used for the instrument portion of the
commercial pilot–airship practical test. Instructors are expected to use
this book when preparing applicants for practical tests. Applicants
should be familiar with this book and refer to these standards during
their training.
This publication sets forth the practical test requirements for the
addition of an instrument rating to a pilot certificate in airplanes,
helicopters, and powered-lift aircraft.
Information considered directive in nature is described in this practical
test standards book in terms, such as “shall” and “must,” indicating the
actions are mandatory. Guidance information is described in terms,
such as “should” and “may,” indicating the actions are desirable or
permissive, but not mandatory.
The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by
many individuals and companies who contributed their time and talent
in assisting with the revision of these practical test standards.
These practical test standards may be accessed through the FedWorld
Information System by computer modem at 703-321-3339. These
standards may also be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.fedworld.gov/pub/faa-att/faa-att.htm. This address accesses the
index of training and testing files in the FAA-ATT Library on FedWorld.
Subsequent changes to these standards, in accordance with AC 60-27,
Announcement of Availability: Changes to Practical Test Standards, will be
available through FedWorld and then later incorporated into a printed
revision. For a listing of changes, AFS-600’s Internet web site may be
accessed at www.mmac.jccbi.gov/afs/afs600.
This publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
1 FAA-S-8081-4C
Change 2 03/11/99
Comments regarding this publication should be sent to:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service
Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
Practical Test Standard Concept
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 specifies
the areas in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the
applicant before the issuance of an instrument rating. The CFR’s
provide the flexibility to permit the FAA to publish practical test
standards containing specific TASKS in which pilot competency shall
be demonstrated. The FAA will revise this book whenever it is
determined that changes are needed in the interest of safety.
Adherence to the provisions of the regulations and the practical test
standards is mandatory for evaluation of instrument pilot applicants.
Practical Test Book Description
This test book contains the instrument rating practical test standards for
airplane, helicopter, and powered lift. It also contains TASK
requirements for the addition of airplane, helicopter, or powered lift, if
an instrument rating is possessed by the applicant in at least one other
aircraft category. Refer to the commercial pilot–airship practical test
standard to determine the instrument TASKS required for that practical
test. Required TASKS for instrument proficiency checks (PC) are also
contained in these practical test standards.
Practical Test Standards Description
AREAS OF OPERATION are phases of the practical test arranged in a
logical sequence within each standard. They begin with preflight
preparation and end with postflight procedures. The examiner may
conduct the practical test in any sequence that results in a complete
and efficient test.
TASKS are titles of knowledge areas, flight procedures, or maneuvers
appropriate to an AREA OF OPERATION.
FAA-S-8081-4C 2
Change 2 03/11/99
The applicant who holds an airplane, helicopter, or powered lift
instrument rating will not have to take the entire test when applying for
an added rating. The TASKS required for each additional instrument
rating are shown in the Rating Task Table on page 15.
Applicants for an instrument proficiency check required by 14 CFR
section 61.57, must perform to the standards of the TASKS listed under
PC in the Rating Task Table on page 15.
NOTE is used to emphasize special considerations required in the
AREA OF OPERATION or TASK.
The REFERENCE identifies the publication(s) that describe(s) the
TASK. Descriptions of TASKS are not included in the standards
because this information can be found in the current issue of the listed
references. Publications other than those listed may be used for
references if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as
the referenced publications. These practical test standards are based
on the following references. The latest revision of these references
shall be used.
14 CFR part 61 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors
14 CFR part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules
AC 00-6 Aviation Weather
AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services
AC 60-28 English Language Skill Standards Required by
14 CFR parts 61, 63, and 65
AC 61-21 Flight Training Handbook
AC 61-23 Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
AC 61-27 Instrument Flying Handbook
AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation
AC 90-48 Pilot's Role in Collision Avoidance
AC 90-94 Guidelines for Using Global Positioning
Systems
AIM Aeronautical Information Manual
DP’s Instrument Departure Procedures
STAR’s Standard Terminal Arrivals
AFD Airport Facility Directory
FDC NOTAM’s National Flight Data Center Notices to Airmen
IAP Instrument Approach Procedures
Others Pertinent Pilot’s Operating Handbooks
FAA-Approved Flight Manuals
En Route Low Altitude Charts
3 FAA-S-8081-4C